4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
I loved The Layover, and I somehow loved this one even more!!!

What I loved:
- The prologue of this book because it really helps the reader understand the initial connection
- The chemistry and banter between Liv and Deiss
- The friendships between the characters
- The jumping timelines to get a glimpse into their 11 year long friendship
- Elephants, monkeys and kittens!

**spoilerish**
What I didn't like:
- Semi-closed door romance. I needed more!!
- I wanted more out of the roommate trope where they go on dates and make each other jealous
- single POV
- Simone! She never fit in with the group, and was a jealous horrible friend to Liv

Thank you so much Putnam and Netgalley for my early eARC in exchange for a honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lacie Waldon’s sophomore novel strikes a perfect balance between romance, friendship, family and discovering who we all are once we drop our carefully crafted facade.

Liv sets out to live a life completely unlike her mother. She’s determined not to be perceived as weak, needy, or emotional by anyone including her very closest friends who fondly refer to her as the Ice Queen. Her goal is to control everything around her and to achieve the idea of perfection all her various self-help books seem to subscribe to. Then one day, instead of her usual “yes”, she says “no”, and inadvertently changes the entire course of her life and the world around her. From the vacation she takes to South Africa with her tight knit group of friends, to a new apartment, and a new career, things in her life suddenly improve (granted with a bit of stress and anxiety and a whole lot of entertainment) as she finds herself wanting to be happy, far more than she wants to be perfect.

With multidimensional characters, witty dialogue and a fun, fast plot that at times can make you swoon, and then the next second cry, Waldon’s latest book is a must read. A definite 5 stars and one I’ll be adding to my yearly reading list!

Lacie has done it again! I had a hunch she would be an author to watch after I devoured her other book, The Layover. From the Jump was just as wonderful - I didn't want it to end. I've already purchased this title for our library. I can't wait for others to read this one.

I honestly related to Liz so much. The pressure to be perfect your whole life can shape it into being something you aren't actually happy with. We just need to take "the Jump" and shake it up a little! I enjoyed the dynamic of the group of friends, they were so much fun. I loved how Deiss is writer, as another reviewer said he is the perfect example of a man written by a woman. This was such a fun read!!

Thank you Net Galley, Putnam Books and Lacie for an ARC of this book!

Brief Synopsis: Liv is the quintessential girl who lives by doing the right thing, things people should do. She is also workaholic a graphic designer. She meets up with her college friends for their monthly dinner and discovers that they are going on another vacation. Liv has never been able to afford to go on these trips and she is disappointed and has a case of FOMO. Eventually, she discovers something has to give, and she quits her job and flies to meet up with her friends in South Africa. Unfortunately, there are not enough rooms and she forced to room with Lucas, the playboy who never commits. Things are awkward on the trip and become more awkward when they return stateside, when she has to leave her apartment and moves into Luca’s extra bedroom.

My Thoughts: Read this if you want to take a trip to South Africa, love get-togethers with old friends, or if you’re in the mood for a good friends to lovers trope attract romance. I enjoyed this easy light romance. I read this one in a couple of hours, it was that enjoyable.

An overarching theme that I've found in both The Layover and now From The Jump is the impact parents' choices have on their children as they become adults.

It seems to be one of the things that leads Liv to finding the perfect, tight knit group of family in college that remains just the same well into adulthood. I enjoyed reading their dynamic, how each one added something to the other. Whether it was the aloofness and childlike glee that Mac offered in spades or the spontaneity & freedom Deiss provided, the foundation that Phoebe brought to level out the others, or the naivety gained from Simone, each one offers something to the group dynamic that links them together. That strong bond gets tested by old feelings morphing with time.

Each character felt tangible in their individual personalities, easy to connect with and enjoy, though I found it hard to really sympathize with Simone when the cards didn't fell in her favor in the latter half of the book— especially with the choices made thereafter. Though I found it hard to believe how quickly the group rebound from perceived grievances, some more real than others, I enjoyed how they ultimately found what they wanted from one another, being honesty.

Olivia's journey from trying to craft a life she thought she should want based on her childhood into what would bring her happiness as an adult, was the best to read as it developed. I feel like I would have enjoyed the ending had it been spread across two chapters rather than the conclusion being condensed into one, as there were a few plot points that weren't resolved entirely and not fully addressed among the core group, but it was by far an enjoyable ride that I couldn't put down.

I highly anticipated this book and it had a lot of really amazing moments. But there were also a lot of slow moments where I found myself putting it down and scrolling my phone instead. Overall I still would recommend it because I love the overall story.

4.5⭐️

Liv does everything to be perfect… she wears the right clothes, eats the healthiest food and works the longest hours. When this chronic-yes woman finally decides to say no, her life spirals out of control. Just when Liz thinks her life couldn’t get much worse, she falls for her longtime, totally off limits, best friend.


FRIENDS TO LOVERSSSSSS he’s been pining after her for YEARSSSSS (11 to be exact). This book was such a great quick read!!!! If you like people we meet on vacation - pick up From the Jump!

Thanks to Net Galley for this arc in exchange for an honest review:)

I'm very unsure of my feelings about this book. The beginning was very slow and I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I actually did enjoy the romance and seeing it develop but I think this book could have benefited from dual pov. Also I do not understand why any of them are friends with simone, she's annoying.

I received an arc through netgalley.

OH MY HEART! If Lacie Waldon every stops writing books I am going to stop reading. (Okay that's a bit dramatic but like, I need these books in my life.)
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From the Jump is pure delight and I enjoyed every single page. I am SO picky when it comes to romance novels, but Waldon has a way of hooking me and investing me deeply in her characters - and that character connection is what I love the most. I found all the characters in this book, even Simone, to be likable and relatable. The chemistry is so well done and aptly flushed out, and this chemistry is what made it hard for me to put down her first book, The Layover, and now her second book, From the Jump. Waldon also gives me a dose of wanderlust, and I love being able to travel in these stories and live vicariously through the characters.
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This story has some of my favorite tropes, found family, forced proximity, and friends-to-lovers. I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers and the romance and rapport between Liv and Lucas is spot on and gave me all the feels. Honestly, I just had to finish this book ASAP - I didn't want to spend time doing anything else (and isn't that the best feeling when you're reading??).
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Folks, for a light-hearted, swoony sweet read, don't pass this one up. Thank you to Putnam for the e-arc, this book releases July 19, 2022!

I really enjoyed Lacie Waldon's first book, The Layover, and was excited to dive into this one. There were many appealing elements: a large friend group, travel, slow burn, friends-to-lovers, and light banter. However, the plot and pacing jumped around a bit and I often didn't feel immersed in the story. Deiss and Liv were sweet and I think readers will have fun with this contemporary romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is a charming romance that includes a friends to lovers story, with a record shop and trip to Africa. I enjoyed this story so much. It was the perfect read for rain day to cheer up my mood.

If you like Emily Henry, you’ll LOVE this book! This is the perfect friends-to-lovers story including a indie record shop and an impromptu trip to Africa. I know I just finished it, but I already feel the need to re-read it (a rarity only achieved recently by The Unhoneymooners and Beach Read).

Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Quick and easy bullet point review!


•Friends to lovers (done well!)

•Fantastic chemistry between the two leads

•Uptight/laid back combo is golden

•Found family in her friendship circle

•loved the trip to South Africa!

•loved how she slowly let herself relax her rules she kept for herself

•Deiss is fantastic


The main conflict felt a little unresolved in the end. The characters involved seem to let things go too easily in my opinion. But, a small gripe. Very readable and fun romance! Can’t wait to read her first book!

What fun to get a front row seat to protagonist Liv as she dips her toes and then jumps head first into loosening up on her deeply rooted perfectionism. Best friend Deiss is there to support her along the way. Could their friendship turn into something more?

This was fun. I love all of the friendships in this book. I felt very satisfied after reading this. I can't wait to see what Lacie does next!

This charming romance will empower anyone who has always felt pressure to do what is expected of us (and isn't that most of us?). Great characters and an interesting nature setting make it even better. I look forward to recommending this title.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3/5
Publication: July 19, 2022

When I saw that Lacie Waldon was coming out with a new book, I immediately requested that ARC. I really enjoyed reading The Layover and knew From the Jump would have the same type of vibe. I wasn’t disappointed! It was a really good book!

I liked the character development of Liv and how she stopped listening to others about what she should be doing, wearing, etc. I especially liked the friend group (at times). However, I just couldn’t get on board with Deiss. I tried really hard to like him as a love interest, but to be honest, I thought they were better as friends. It didn’t seem like they had a connection.

It was a cute book, but to me, it was not a romance book. Which I don’t mind, but going into it, I thought there would be a lot more romance than what I got out of it. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light and fun read!

Loved this book! The character development from their decade long friendship was really well done. Loved the ending and couldn’t put it down

This book was a cute, sweet, quick read. I love friends to lovers and liked the characters. I did think the book missed out on some more explanation from the love interest and could have benefited from a dual POV. After 11 years of friendship I wanted more explanation for his feelings. Overall, the book could have had more depth.